Access to financial services for migrant people: Welcome Association Italy at the workshop “Between Barriers and Opportunities”
Rome, January 20, 2026 – Welcome Association Italy participated in the workshop “Access to Financial Services for Migrant People Between Barriers and Opportunities,” held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at the Rome City Hall House (Via Galilei 53). The initiative was part of the PAF. – Financial Literacy Program (PROG. 124) , funded by the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI) 2021-2027.
The participation of Welcome Association Italy was part of a path already begun as part of the project: in fact, the association was involved in preliminary interviews, contributing to the collection of testimonies and data useful for understanding the real needs of migrant people in relation to access to financial, banking and insurance services. This listening work brought to light widespread critical issues – such as information, language and documentary barriers – but also good practices and possible room for improvement.
The workshop was a time for discussion among research, practitioners, associations and institutions. The first session was dedicated to the analysis of the results of the study “Knock and it will be opened to you? The (mis)match between territorial financial systems and immigrants’ needs” by Fondazione ISMU and an in-depth look at barriers to accessing financial and insurance services. The second session looked at future opportunities, with a focus on concrete solutions, “migrant-friendly” experiences and possible co-design paths.
During the meeting, Welcome Association Italy brought its contribution gained from its daily work in contact with migrant communities, reiterating the importance of access to financial services as a key lever of autonomy and social inclusion.
Carlo Palumbo Deputy National Secretary of Welcome Association Italy said:
“Access to financial services is not just a technical issue, but a decisive factor for real inclusion. Preliminary interviews have shown how often migrant people face obstacles that slow down or prevent paths to autonomy. Occasions such as this workshop are crucial to transform listening into concrete proposals and to build solutions that hold together rights, sustainability and real needs.”
The meeting was moderated by Valeria Carlini, deputy director of CIR and project manager on Rome.
